Orphan Grain Train--Michigan Sends 17th International Shipment to Romania

 

Very First Shipment of Mercy Meals
 

   Mercy Meals is the first major new initiative in the history of Orphan Grain Train--Michigan.  Years of consideration and planning led to yesterday's exciting moment.
    For the very first time, this branch shipped thousands of fortified meals to people suffering from severe food insecurity. 
    Yesterday, April 21, a 40-foot shipping container was loaded with 1,616 boxes  and individual items of humanitarian relief (quilts, clothing, shoes, hygiene kits, towels, wheelchairs, and more). 
     Of particular joy was the inclusion of 10,000 Mercy Meals being sent to  Fundatia de Binefacere a Nevazatonior din Romania / The Romanian Foundation for the Blind.
    The meals consist of rice, soy, vegetables, and supplemental nutrients which have been mixed and sealed with only the need for hot water to enable hungry children to eat.
    Over seven years of operation, Orphan Grain Train—Michigan has successfully shipped humanitarian relief to Kyrgyzstan, Panama, Moldova, the Republic of Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Malawi, South Sudan, Peru, and Romania.

Mercy Meals is now a significant expansion of that Christian compassion. 

     For the first time in our experience the freight forwarder was almost three hours late arriving at the OGT work and warehouse center in Sebewaing. 
     Because of it we lost the service of wonderful students of Christ the King Lutheran School who couldn't stay. But we were rescued by Travis Albrecht who brought along a high-low (fork lift).  With our remaining rugged crew the load was completed in three hours.

We Can Always Count on Alpena

      We can't tell you how many times over the years Denny Neumann (right) has made the trip from Alpena to Sebewaing with bountiful goods.  He and Jon Kindt arrived April 14th with another wonderful supply.

     Alpena and the congregation of Immanuel Lutheran Church is just one very special enclave of Orphan Grain Train support.  Folks there have a special heart for Christian humanitarian mission work.

     People like Sharon Jack, Doris Puls, and many others who will forgive me for not mentioning their names have given yeoman efforts of prayer and action on behalf of Orphan Grain Train.  We are eternally thankful for them.

Orphan Grain Train--Michigan Launches Major Successful Mercy Meals Initiative

 

Mercy Meals Packs Food for Thousands    Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Cass City was sight for a first Mercy Meals packing event in collaboration with Orphan Grain Train—Michigan.      Forty members and friends of Good Shepherd from children to seniors packaged nearly 10,000 fortified meals over the course of two hours Saturday, March 21.      The meals which consist of rice, soy, vegetables, and supplemental nutrients are mixed and sealed.  Only hot water is needed to enable hungry children to eat.    The meals will be shipped to areas of the world where people suffer from severe food insecurity or starvation.      Over its seven years of operation, Orphan Grain Train—Michigan has successfully shipped humanitarian relief to Kyrgyzstan, Panama, Moldova, the Republic of Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Malawi, South Sudan, Peru, and Romania.     Mercy Meals will now be a significant expansion of that Christian compassion.      Worldwide, more than fifteen thousand children die every day for lack of food.  Orphan Grain Train with its Michigan branch located in Sebewaing is working to address that crisis and respond to the words of Jesus, "I was hungry and you fed me."     The intent of our new Orphan Grain Train food initiative is for churches throughout mid-Michigan to consider making Mercy Meals a component of their church's mercy care efforts.  The event Saturday proved beautifully its feasibility.  For information, contact Orphan Grain Train branch manager, Pastor David Reed 989-600-2264.